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Film industry growing in Northwest Arkansas

Dan Robinson, owner of Fiery Moon Productions, works on a locally produced documentary at his studio in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -

Northwest Arkansas is quickly becoming a hub for the growing film industry in Arkansas.

And with a strong list of nominees for this year’s Oscars, it’s no surprise that filmmakers in our area are excited to be part of a growing film community.

The Fayetteville legislature passed incentives during the last legislative session providing benefits to major production companies that choose Northwest Arkansas as the destination to shoot their films.

“Two years ago, the legislature passed an incentive for film directors to come and film in Arkansas,” says Marilyn Heifner the executive director of advertising and promotion in Fayetteville. “It’s been really good for people to notice Arkansas as a great location for filming various projects.”

One local filmmaker chose Northwest Arkansas as the location to start his production company.

Daniel Robinson, the owner of Fiery Moon Productions, says the affordability of the area was a big factor in his decision, but it was the local community that sealed the deal.

“There’s lots of amazing talent here,” Robinson says. “It’s been a real pleasure to tie into the local music community and use their music for my productions. To be able to tie into local businesses and use their products to create exposure for locations and people, it’s a very big thing.”

Robinson says even though his company is working on smaller scale productions right now, they have big plans for the future.

“We have our eyes on producing major feature narratives,” Robinson says. “We’re very excited about having the opportunity to build a network of people who are able to work on it together in this area.”

Robinson is just one of the growing number of filmmakers in the area.

The Northwest Arkansas Talent Society and Casting Center says it expects to see six major feature films shot and produced in our area by this summer.

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